JSM Group rejects Hard Rock Cafe closure claim, says outlets in India will continue

Hard Rock Cafe’s Indian franchise partner JSM Group on Tuesday rejected the global chain’s claim of closure of its outlets in India, and cited that all restaurants under the chain will continue to remain operational. JSM, in a media statement on Tuesday, expressed “deep shock at the unilateral, illegal and entirely misconceived announcement" by Hard Rock International about closure of its outlets in the country, setting the stage for a likely legal battle.

On Monday, Hard Rock International had said it was ending its partnership with JSM Corporation and shutting down all 10 restaurants in India, “formally terminating its agreements with JSM Corporation Pvt Ltd and related entities covering the right to operate all Hard Rock Cafes and Rock Shops within India.”

The JSM Group, headed by Indian hospitality industry veteran Sanjay Mahtani, retaliated on Tuesday that “Hard Rock cafes in India will continue to operate as usual pending any binding order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction to the contrary.” JSM Group and Hard Rock Café International have been partners for over 22 years, the former’s statement added.


Hard Rock International did not specify the reason for terminating its franchise agreement with JSM Corporation, or whether it plans to appoint a new partner in India. An email seeking comments from Hard Rock’s media office remained unanswered till press time, Tuesday.

The Florida-based music-themed restaurant chain had said on Monday that its cafes in Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, New Delhi, Pune would be closing. Only the outlet in Goa would be operational, since it was not operated by JSM.

JSM said Hard Rock Group’s unilateral claims are outside of the contractual framework and unsupported by a Court order. "While we are evaluating our options, our immediate priority remains our employees, loyal customers, partners and suppliers in India who have supported and operated the brand for over two decades,” it added in the statement.

Hard Rock Cafe’s first outlet in India started in 2005 in Mumbai’s Worli area, introduced by JSM Corporation, an F&B company set up by entrepreneurs Jay Singh and Mahtani. In 2017, Singh exited the company, with Mumbai billionaire Embassy Group managing director Jitendra Virwani acquiring controlling stake in JSM Corporation. Since then, Mahtani has been running the company. JSM also runs its own restaurant brands Shiro and Asilo.

Hard Rock Cafe Inc was set up in 1971 as a chain of music-themed bar restaurants in London by two entrepreneurs Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton. In 2007, the chain was acquired by Florida’s Seminole Tribe.